Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities Grant Program
The Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities Grant program (established as a result of HB22-1107) provides colleges and universities across Colorado the opportunity to apply for funding to develop, expand, and solidify pathways to inclusive higher education programming on their campus. Inclusive Higher Education programs seek to enable students with intellectual disability (ID) to have all the rights, responsibilities, privileges, benefits and outcomes that result from a higher education experience to the greatest extent possible. Attention is given to increasing diversity and accessibility within expansion efforts. Expansion of inclusive higher education pathways is defined as the creation of more spots for students with ID to attend an institution of higher education and/or increasing equity and access for students with ID wishing to pursue higher education within rural, low-income, and BIPOC communities.
This is a 5-year grant program, awarding $450,000 annually to the grant-administering entity to be allocated to institutions of higher education. There have been three rounds of grant funding since 2023, and the fourth round is currently open.
This current grant cycle, the Western Slope Initiative, will only be awarded to one public institution of higher education on the Western Slope of Colorado to be used throughout a 4-year development period. The recipient will receive an initial $267,000 grant to begin program development (years 1-2). IN! and a dedicated advisory committee will work to raise remaining funding needs (years 3-4). The recipient must commit to developing a high quality, inclusive pathway for students with intellectual disability that is founded upon Colorado's model four pillars of support: academic growth, social development, career advancement, and increased independence.
Interested Western Slope institutions of higher education should schedule an informational meeting with IN! Staff at this link or email info@inclusivehighered.org with questions.
Please see the additional resources below for further details and/or email info@inclusivehighered.org with questions.
Resources
- Western Slope Initiative (Round 4) Grant Program Overview Document
- Inclusive Higher Education Institutional Summary
- Inclusive Program Model/Pillars
- House Bill 22-1107: Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities
- Eligibility Description
- Applicant Questions & Responses (Grant Rounds 1-3)
New Inclusive Higher Education Program Development:
- Colorado State University (CSU) - RAM Scholars
- Lamar Community College (LCC) - Cultivate@LCC
- Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) - Inclusive Higher Education Solutions
- Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) - Inclusive Higher Education Certificate
Equity Development at Existing Inclusive Higher Education Programs:
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) - Office of Inclusive Services
- University of Northern Colorado (UNC) - Go On And Learn
Contact: info@inclusivehighered.org
Jonathan is graduating from ACC! Hear a bit about his experience, future plans, and words of wisdom.
GOAL Graduate, Noah, reflects on his experience.
IN! proudly welcomes two more Colorado colleges into the inclusive higher education family!
